Prince Charming ✓

-5-**

Double quote bonus, yeet:

"Sometimes suffering is just suffering. It doesn't make you stronger. It doesn't build character. It only hurts."

- Kate Jacobs

"New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings."

-Lao Tzu

*******

Aryan

I sat at a table in the dining hall surrounded by princesses and my parents.

"The food is amazing." One girl said as she daintily sliced her chicken.

"Our chef is amazing." I grunted, my mind wandering to Soren.

He kissed me.

That wasn't very relevant right now, I suppose, but I couldn't help but feel like an giddy school girl.

"Well, ladies," My father said, standing up at the head of the table, "Why don't you all go around and introduce yourselves a bit more casually?"

The princess closest to him, the second girl I had talked to at the ball, smiled deviously at me.

I remembered her now, of course. Princess Remi. She seemed very sure that I would pick her, or that, at least, my father would.

"I am from Contown, a beautiful, safe, happy kingdom. My brother is stepping up to the throne there, and my parents are looking for somewhere to marry me off to. They think, and I agree, that I would fit in very well with this scene and kingdom." She finished her (obviously rehearsed) speech with a grin.

The next girl cleared her throat when it was her turn. My father must have invited her, because I don't even think I talked to her at the ball.

"I am Princess Anastasia from Green Aisle. I was delighted when I received the invitation, because I, too, am being married off soon. Prince Aryan is a lovely man and I would be honored to rule alongside him."

The girl seemed nice enough, but spoke a little too properly for my liking.

It was Princess Cambria's turn, and she looked at me goofily before beginning to speak.

"Prince Aryan is the most amazing, perfect, strong, handsome, and admirable candidate for my marriage. I would be ecstatic to be chosen as his bride, and I know that we would rule together forever." She stopped to take a sip of water, and I saw her try to stop herself from laughing. "I love him already. Did I mention he's perfect?"

"Yes," My father said cautiously, "I think you did."

"Great!" She grinned at him then me, sending a wink my way. I grinned back.

Soren and Calypso entered the room with a cart full of pastries, breaking the awkward silence that followed Cambria's speech.

"Your majesties," He said, bowing to pretty much everyone at the table. "I have brought dessert."

"What do you have?" Princess Cambria asked a bit too excitedly. My mother cringed at the fact that she talked to the servants, and the other girls looked at her oddly, but Soren grinned.

"We have cake, pies, puddings, anything you desire." Calypso smiled at her with a strange look.

"Chef, put the desserts on the table," My mother said with distaste.

"Of course, your majesty." Soren wheeled the cart around the table, placing plates of desserts in front of everyone.

When he stopped in front of me, he slipped a bag onto my lap along with a plate of cake in front of me.